Patriarch Mansion, Uchiha Clan district
Itachi and Izumi sat together in the courtyard, as they often did, discussing the events of their day. This had beco a routine since their marriage. They would share stories about the Ninja Academy, the Clan, family matters, market news, and other topics that they experienced throughout their day.
While Izumi was speaking, she noticed that Itachi seed sowhat distracted. She reached out and placed her hand on top of his, trying to get his attention. "Itachi-kun, is sothing on your mind today?" she asked.
Taken aback by Izumi's sudden question, Itachi's train of thought was interrupted. He shook his head and replied, "It's nothing too serious... just so matters concerning the Clan." He was pondering over what ‘Madara’ told the other day.
"I see," nodded Izumi, gazing into Itachi's eyes. With just a glance, she could sense if sothing was truly troubling him. She noticed that while sothing was indeed on his mind, he remained calm and unstrained. This indicated that whatever it was, it wasn't overly serious. Yet, it was also evident that it wasn't sothing she should pry into.
Respecting boundaries, Izumi refrained from probing further. She understood that sotis, knowing too much could lead to complications. If Itachi wished to share, he would do so in his own ti. However, she didn't want him to shoulder everything alone either. Leaning in closer, she expressed, "Regardless of your decision, I'll always stand by you... It's the promise I made on our wedding day, and one I intend to uphold for as long as I live."
Itachi clasped Izumi's hand tightly, locking gazes with her. Eyes are said to be windows to the soul, and in hers, he saw unwavering determination as she expressed her heart. He nodded in acknowledgnt, “I know.”
With a gentle gesture, he brushed her brown hair behind her ear, drawing closer.
Sensing Itachi's proximity, Izumi's cheeks flushed, and she closed her eyes, anticipating their impending kiss. Just as their lips were about to et, Itachi halted and addressed, "Kiyomi and Sasuke... How long do you plan to hide?"
Izumi lifted her head swiftly, spotting two heads peeking from behind the wall. She blushed in embarrassnt at being caught in such a private mont.
From the other end of the courtyard, Kiyomi's voice sounded discontented, "Oh, co on! In such a perfect mont, you're supposed to ignore the peepers and carry on!"
Itachi looked at Kiyomi, uncertain of how to respond, before turning his attention to Sasuke. "Kiyomi's behavior I can understand, but Sasuke..."
Sasuke hurriedly explained, "I... I wasn't peeking at you two, it was just a coincidence! We ca here to ask you sothing, nii-san. But when Kiyomi noticed you two, she insisted we shouldn't interrupt and should wait… it’s just that she got a little curious, and then… well…"
Kiyomi, feeling betrayed by Sasuke's explanation, interjected, "Sasuke-nii, you're not supposed to betray your Imōto like that! You're breaking my heart!"
Itachi sighed. "Let's forget about it." He smiled and inquired, "So, what did you two want to ask ?"
Sasuke and Kiyomi hurried to Itachi and Izumi's side, but before addressing Itachi, they apologized to Izumi, "Shimai-chan, please forgive us for intruding."
Izumi waved her hand in embarrassnt, replying, "It's... it's fine... don't worry about it." She swiftly changed the subject, saying, "Anyway, what did you want to ask Itachi-kun?"
"Right," Kiyomi began, "Itachi-nii, who will be our instructor? And will we be in the sa Genin squads?"
Sasuke also looked expectantly at Itachi, awaiting his response.
Itachi shook his head. "I'm not at liberty to disclose that information to anyone, I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but I can't answer your question."
Kiyomi pouted, "Not even to us?"
Itachi nodded solemnly. "Even though you're my younger siblings, I can't provide that information. You'll find out tomorrow." Then, he added, "But I can inform both of you that you're not in the sa squad. You'll have capable Jonin instructors, so there's nothing to worry about."
"I understand," Kiyomi nodded. She wasn't surprised by the news, though she felt a twinge of disappointnt. She had hoped they'd be in the sa squad, but she accepted it.
With that settled, Itachi turned to Sasuke, inquiring, "What's on your mind, Sasuke?"
Sasuke hesitated, his fists clenched, and he spoke with bitterness, "I... I couldn't graduate as the top trainee in my year. I've disappointed Tou-san and you... I lost to Shion."
Itachi nodded curtly. "That's true. You lost."
"Itachi-kun..." Izumi began, but Itachi interrupted her. "There's no need to sugarcoat things, Izumi. What I'm saying is a fact. He lost."
Izumi didn't know how to respond and simply sighed, saying, "I see."
Kiyomi stood silently by their side.
Maintaining his gaze on Sasuke, Itachi inquired, "So, you couldn't achieve your goal and failed to graduate as the top trainee of the year... What's next?"
Sasuke looked at Itachi, puzzled.
Itachi clarified, "I'm asking... what are you going to do next now that you failed to achieve your objective? Are you thinking of giving up? Or do you still intend to struggle?"
Sasuke imdiately shook his head. "No, I don't intend to give up. Even now, my goal remains the sa: to restore the reputation of the Uchiha Clan and Tou-san. But..." He hesitated, unsure if there would be other opportunities.
Itachi smiled reassuringly. "Since you haven't given up, then continue on the sa path. There will be more opportunities in the future." He paused for a mont before continuing, "Life, especially for a shinobi, is filled with challenges. Many struggle to achieve their goals on their first attempt and end up failing. However, among those who fail, only a few refuse to give up. They stand up again and again in pursuit of their desires. The ones who persist despite countless setbacks, they are the ones who truly succeed in life and achieve their objective…"
"I understand," Sasuke nodded, his expression serious.
Itachi then turned to Kiyomi. "And what about you?"
Kiyomi also nodded. "Hmm."
"Good," Itachi smiled. Then, he rembered sothing and turned to his wife. "Izumi, do you have that scroll with you at the mont?"
"Now?" Izumi asked, surprised. She whispered lightly, "I thought it was for later..."
"Well, I was thinking the sa, but... I suppose it's fine to give it now," Itachi said.
"If that's your decision, then I suppose..." Izumi nodded. She retrieved a storage scroll from her kimono and said, "It was delivered just this evening."
"I see... they work fast," Itachi smiled.
Sasuke and Kiyomi observed Itachi and Izumi conversing with puzzled expressions on their faces. Noticing their confusion, neither Itachi nor Izumi bothered to explain. Izumi unfolded the scroll on her lap, then perford the necessary hand signs and slamd her hand on top of it. Imdiately, a poof of smoke erged as sothing was summoned from the scroll.
As the smoke cleared, Sasuke and Kiyomi could see it clearly: a sword.
Itachi picked up the sword and began to explain, "It's one of the rare Swords of Kusanagi, and its made up of Chakra Conductive tal. This one, in particular, has a high conductivity for Lightning Chakra. Considering your proficiency in Lightning Style and Kenjutsu, Sasuke, this is a suitable weapon of choice for you."
"For ?" Sasuke muttered in surprise. The Sword of Kusanagi was legendary; he had heard of it before. Even the Godai Hokage was said to wield one. Yet, he hadn't expected Itachi to gift such a precious weapon to him.
"It's your graduation gift from the two of us," Itachi said as he passed the sword to Sasuke.
Taking the sword from Itachi, Sasuke was visibly moved. "Thank you, Nii-san, Shimai-san," he said, his eyes glistening with emotion.
Itachi and Izumi smiled softly at Sasuke's gratitude. Then, Izumi summoned another scroll from the storage scroll. Once again, Itachi picked it up and handed it to Kiyomi, "And this is for you, Kiyomi... your graduation gift,"
Excitedly, Kiyomi took the scroll, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Is it a jutsu?" she asked eagerly.
Itachi nodded. "Yes, we were able to obtain this jutsu from Tsunade-hi, thanks to Izumi. Once you master it, your strength will increase."
Overwheld with gratitude, Kiyomi tightly hugged Izumi. "Shimai-chan, thank you so much," she exclaid happily.
Izumi returned the hug with equal warmth. "Hmm," she replied, smiling contentedly.
As Kiyomi and Izumi separated, Itachi addressed them, "I know you're both very excited at the mont, but it's getting late. It's ti to obediently go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day, right?"
Sasuke and Kiyomi nodded in agreent. Despite their eagerness to try out their gifts, they acknowledged Itachi's instruction and decided to go back to their rooms.
Just as they were about to leave, Itachi added, "Oh, and one more thing... Kaa-san and Tou-san have also prepared sothing for both of you for your graduation. Visit their room before going to sleep."
“Got it!” Excitedly, Sasuke and Kiyomi shouted their acknowledgnt and dashed toward Fugaku and Mikoto's room.
Once Sasuke and Kiyomi were out of sight, Izumi said, "I'm glad they liked the gifts."
Itachi nodded in agreent. "Hmm." Then, he once again took Izumi's hand and leaned in closer, asking, "Now, where were we earlier?"
"Well..." Izumi murmured shyly, closing her eyes and leaning in closer as well.
This ti, there was no one to interrupt them, except for the full moon hanging in the sky.
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